Irish Whiskeys to Try This St. Patrick’s Day
Whether you are brand new to Irish Whiskey or you are already an avid fan – there’s no better time to indulge in a little Irish Whiskey tasting just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
ANBL’s Spirits Category Manager, Brian von Richter helps us shine a spotlight on a few Irish Whiskey selections to help you set a celebratory Irish mood.
Jameson Irish Whiskey
We would be remiss to profile Irish Whiskey and not begin with Jameson.
A classic example of what Irish Whiskey represents, it is smooth, light, with a touch of citrus and is extremely versatile.
Jameson is capable of shining in a cocktail but also a great sipper on its own.
Brian’s Perfect Pairing:“A good pour in a short glass served over ice with a splash of ginger ale and a lime wedge - paired with good friends and a few great stories (the degree of truth behind the stories is not important).”
BONUS: Save $5 on 750ml of Jameson Irish Whiskey from March 6-16
Busker Triple Smooth + Bushmills Black Bush
These Irish Whiskeys are fantastic cocktailing whiskeys and will never let you down.
Here are two of Brian’s favourite cocktails recipes that highlight the best features of each of these Irish Whiskeys:
Irish Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned cocktail is of course THE classic cocktail, however it is traditionally made with Rye or Bourbon which are often viewed as bolder whiskies in flavour. Bushmills Black Bush is an ideal Irish Whiskey to replicate this experience in the cocktail as the aging within Orolosso Sherry and Bourbon casks lends an intensity and depth of flavour that absolutely thrives in this quintessential cocktail.
Brian’s Perfect Pairing: “With cool air and a warm fire.”
What You’ll Need:
- 1 sugar cube
- 3-4 dashes Angostura Bitters (or enough to coat the sugar)
- 1 oz water
- 2 oz Bushmills Black Bush
- Orange peel or twist
- Cherry
How to Make It:
- Add sugar to a rocks glass (or mixing glass) and saturate with bitters.
- Muddle the sugar and bitters then top with water. Stir to combine.
- Add Whiskey and ice and stir until chilled.
- Strain into a fresh rocks glass and add a large ice cube and garnish with an orange twist and a cherry.
Busk and Ginger
Although extremely simple, this serve is a staple in the Irish Whiskey world. The Busker Triple Smooth is everything you expect from a classic Irish Whiskey and shines in this time-honoured pour.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 oz Busker Triple Smooth
- 4 oz Ginger Ale
- Lime Wedge
How to Make It:
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour the Busker Triple Smooth and top with ginger ale.
- Stir to combine and garnish with lime wedge.
Powers Gold Label + Roe & CO
Using the term “new” to describe an industry as historical as Irish Whiskey feels a bit out of place, however in the grand view of the history of Irish Whiskey these two products are “newer” to ANBL shelves and are still being discovered by New Brunswickers.
Powers Gold Label
With a heritage dating back 200 years, the liquid in the bottle has kept people coming back again and again.
Brian’s Perfect Pairing: “A toast for the ages.”
Roe & CO Blended Irish Whiskey
This brand is a phenomenal addition to the Irish Whiskey shelves in the province.
Brian says it’s best paired "with dessert after heavy meal and served with a smile."
Connemara Peated
Traditionally peated whiskies are the specialty of Scotland. However, this product would beg to differ, as it is a unique offering from Ireland.
For those who have never experience a peated whiskey, the signature aromas and flavour profiles are that of smoke.
Connemara Peated Single Malt
This experience is thanks to the drying process of the malt used in this whiskey utilizing peat moss as the fuel for the drying fire. The smoke that rises through the malt imparts intense smoke notes that are unforgettable.
Best paired "at the end of a great evening as a night cap neat or over ice. The flavours will linger long after the glass is empty and will leave you with something to remember the night."
BONUS Whiskeys: Something Special
All of these beautiful Irish Whiskies are globally allocated products. This means that the manufacturer determines a set number of cases to each country that they sell within for each year. When the allotted cases are sold, there are typically no more for the remainder of the year for that market. This makes them extremely sought after. (INSIDER TIP: grab them while you can when you see them on shelves at ANBL).
Brian’s Perfect Pairing: “With time - sip these gems slowly and savour the experience because each of these liquids is just that, an experience in a glass.”
Explore even more Irish Whiskeys here. We hope you enjoy discovering new flavours and revisiting old favourites.
Brian von Richter is ANBL’s Spirits Category Manager. He brings over 15 years experience to the category and has a deep appreciation for whiskey.Back to Top »